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JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)

70. No! The prosecutor does not have to prove what actually happened.

Thu Jul 12, 2012, 10:19 AM

Jul 2012

Not unless the jury insists on that.

The prosecutor can catch Zimmerman in lies and put his stories in such doubt that he is convicted.

That will be particularly true if Zimmerman's story is the only one told. The jury will either believe or disbelieve him.

The case is a big challenge for the prosecutor. But not an impossible one. And the fact is that Zimmerman's story does have a lot of holes and some contradictions. But you never know with a jury. The OJ jury surprised many, many people.

Even though the standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt, people who are perceived to be lying or socially undesirable get convicted on little evidence every day.

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Doctor: George Zimmerman had black eyes, painful broken nose but no head trauma [View all] neohippie Jul 2012 OP

Maybe his father broke his nose arcane1 Jul 2012 #1

the emt reported the broken nose magical thyme Jul 2012 #3

I not one of those who thinks that he faked his own injuries neohippie Jul 2012 #4

Yep. If someone grabbed me, I'd break their nose, too. GoCubsGo Jul 2012 #12

That sort of action could be called attempted murder rl6214 Jul 2012 #25

No. It would be called "self-defense". GoCubsGo Jul 2012 #27

Yes, and it depends on who was the attacker. Following someone is not attacking them. Canopus Jul 2012 #35

No shit. GoCubsGo Jul 2012 #36

Your 'point' is dependent on your belief that Zimmerman attacked Martin, That is far from a proven Canopus Jul 2012 #37

You are right. We do know that Zimmerman was following Trayvon. crim son Jul 2012 #40

It's possible, but that would have simply been another example of improperly asserting the right. Canopus Jul 2012 #45

If Zimmerman had not stalked Martin spotbird Jul 2012 #49

Except that Zimmerman admitted in his first call to 911 that JDPriestly Jul 2012 #52

Zimmerman is going to have a huge credibility problem though if he testifies cstanleytech Jul 2012 #60

Depending on Zimmerman's defense, that may all be irrelevant hack89 Jul 2012 #61

The outcome will depend on the evidence. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #65

Very true hack89 Jul 2012 #69

No! The prosecutor does not have to prove what actually happened. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #70

Doubt is not the truth hack89 Jul 2012 #71

it doesn't appear that deadly force was the only way Zimmerman could have stopped Martin neohippie Jul 2012 #72

There is nothing cut and dry about this case from a legal perspective. nt hack89 Jul 2012 #73

Doubt is not the untruth either. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #74

Zimmerman does not have to testify hack89 Jul 2012 #75

In fact, I didn't think he would testify. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #76

That would only apply to the pre-trial SYG hearing hack89 Jul 2012 #77

But there is no question that Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #78

All this assumes Zimmerman had ANY right to approach or detain demwing Jul 2012 #29

If you know Zimmerman tried to detain Martin, you really should give a deposition to the prosecution Canopus Jul 2012 #46

I was responding to a specific post demwing Jul 2012 #48

You Really Think This Tired Wheeze is Clever, Fella, Don't You? The Magistrate Jul 2012 #51

You realize smart ass comments don't prove you are right? joeglow3 Jul 2012 #56

You Talkin' To Me, Fella? The Magistrate Jul 2012 #57

Not wanting to fight OR see one of my rights pissed away. joeglow3 Jul 2012 #58

Do You Think The Troll Made A Legitimate Point In Replying To Post 29, Sir? The Magistrate Jul 2012 #59

Yes I do joeglow3 Jul 2012 #62

The Content Of Your Post, Sir, Has Nothing To Do With The Comments In Question The Magistrate Jul 2012 #63

And what will be admitted into evidence is the big question. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #66

I saw zero evidence of a broken nose or black eyes Boabab Jul 2012 #31

NOBODY noticed that he had a broken nose until the next day? rocktivity Jul 2012 #2

An EMT testified at the bond hearing last week that he noted the broken nose on the night of... slackmaster Jul 2012 #6

He has no credibility anyway! AnnieK401 Jul 2012 #5

Scalp damage can be considered head trauma, but the term usually refers to damage to the brain or... slackmaster Jul 2012 #7

Any evidence that isn't noted at the scene of the crime is tainted Horse with no Name Jul 2012 #8

hell, we know his wife would do it to cover for him grasswire Jul 2012 #9

Of course his wife would do it for him/them. Auntie Bush Jul 2012 #14

Calahan did this to me.... 2on2u Jul 2012 #15

Wild unevidenced speculation doesn't pass the smell test either. Canopus Jul 2012 #47

the incident happened on a sunday night- why would he have needed a note Bluerthanblue Jul 2012 #10

I wondered about that too? Did he miss a day of work? JDPriestly Jul 2012 #67

Again, if a strange man came up to me with a gun I would "stand my ground" and fight for my life auburngrad82 Jul 2012 #11

At what point do you believe that Trayvon became aware of the presence of the gun? slackmaster Jul 2012 #13

Yeah iamthebandfanman Jul 2012 #18

All I know for sure is that he initiated and pursued an encounter that resulted in a fatal shooting slackmaster Jul 2012 #19

The obvious explanation is that nobody was brandishing a gun at him. Canopus Jul 2012 #34

there aren't really any good witnesses neohippie Jul 2012 #64

Agreed. Why is it not clear that Trayvon had just as much right to "stand his ground". FedUpWithIt All Jul 2012 #26

That may be something the jury has to decide at the trial. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #68

I Found This Link Just As Interesting DallasNE Jul 2012 #16

again, zimmermans trama iamthebandfanman Jul 2012 #17

Did his daddy beat the crap out of him? BlueToTheBone Jul 2012 #20

Trial might be interesting jade3000 Jul 2012 #21

so heaven05 Jul 2012 #22

Post removed Post removed Jul 2012 #38

really? heaven05 Jul 2012 #39

I don't see how we will ever know what really happened catchnrelease Jul 2012 #23

Zimmerman stated that he was following Trayvon. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #24

Septum deviation HelenWheels Jul 2012 #28

I don't know for sure catchnrelease Jul 2012 #30

He could have hit his nose on Trayvon's head obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #32

I have to say I think Zimmerman's account is every bit as believable as that from those who want to Canopus Jul 2012 #33

I wonder if you read about Zimmerman's claim that Trayvon's last words were crim son Jul 2012 #41

I don't find it unbelievable, no. As a former policeman, I witnessed similar things. Canopus Jul 2012 #44

While there is no standard comment, crim son Jul 2012 #53

You're skating on thin ice, troll. Tread lightly. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jul 2012 #42

Having an opinion is 'skating on thin ice'?? According to whom? Canopus Jul 2012 #43

No, to DU. You're sounding like you watch Faux News. Again, tread lightly. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jul 2012 #50

I think it's doing pretty well walking the fine line crim son Jul 2012 #54

You're right. Interesting and funny to see what happens. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jul 2012 #55

So when was the police tape shot? DiverDave Jul 2012 #79